Tandem syringe



June 7, 1960 J. A. LAZARTE ETAL 2,939,459

TANDEM SYRINGE:

Filed Jan. 11, 1957 INVENTORS CoNRAp WBAARJ BY dozen: A Az/:Rrr

Arron/vnf nite States 2,939,459 TANDEM SYRINGE' Jorge A. Lazarte and Conrad W. Baars, both of Pouch A,

v ARochester State Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

Filed Jan. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 633,791

11 Claims. .(Cl. 12S-218) Our present invention relates broadly to syringes and, more particularly, to a medical syringehaving novel de-` sign and function whereby said syringe is capable of injecting, consecutively, two separately held solutions without disengaging the needle from the syringe.

The principal object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a syringe capableof injecting consecutively into `the body of a subject, two separately held solutions with-V out disengaging or removing the needle of the syringe from the body of the subject'. Y

It is well known to the profession that when it is necesk2,939,459; Patented .lune '7, 1960;

,ice

i outer syringe having a needle adapter 9 fitted to the outturned flange 12 is dimensioned and ground to a smooth tight working fit to vfunction as a plunger with longitudinal endwise movements within the barrel 8 of the outer syringe. v

VIt is well to note here that the annular ange :12 of 1 the inner syringe has `a slightly greater circumference sary to inject into a subject patient two different solutions consecutively, presently available syringes leave much to be desired. As administered with available syringes, it is necessary to prepare and filltwo separate syringes with the respective solutions and thence with the syringe needle attached to one of said syringes, inject the solution ton-y tained therein into the subject patient. The first syringe is then removed fromthe needle towhich it is detachably connected, the said needle remaining in the body of the subject patient. VThe second syringe is thence brought into engagement with the above noted needle, is attached thereto and the syringe fluid injected into the body rof the subject. Obviously, this is a cumbersome, time-consuming operation often accompanied by the spilling of body fluids and even the dislodging and inadvertent withv than that of the lange'ltl Vof the outer syringe to facilitate the imparting of independent movementsto the respectiv syringes, i.e. -the outer and the inner. I Y g The inner-end portion of the barrelllof` the inner syringe differs from that. corresponding portion, ofthe barrel 8 of the outer syringe in` that the Aforward or anterior end portion is not constricted, lthusaifording the spout 8' to which the needle adapter 9 is fitted and secured. Instead, this anterior section of the barrel 11 is transversely flat,y as indicated by the numeral 13, thus facilitating the use o f the inner syringe `as .a cooperating plunger working in the outer syringe. The material thickness j of the said -base section 13 is substantially thicker in cross-se`ction than the side wall material ofthe,

barrel -11,.for reasons as follows: ,An axial bore 14 is drawal of the needle from the body tissue by even the most expert hands, hence the principal object'and need of our invention, as will presently be described.

Other objects and advantages of this inventionV will become apparent from the Ifollowing specification and claims, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings' which form a part of this application, and in `which drawings like characters indicate like Vparts throughout the several views. v p i Referring to the drawings:

the` relationship of the several` component parts thereof; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the .parts shown in Fig. l witlrthe needle in the long position and with the inner syringe in'charge or discharge position;Y y Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Figs. l and 2 with the needle in the short position Vand the outer syringe in charge or discharge'position; y

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing the needle and its adapter member;

l Y '45 Fig. l is a sectional view of the invention illustrating formed in the'inner end base portion 13 of the barrel `11, extends completely therethrough and is outwardly trans-i versely grooved to afford a seat 15 for a removable diaphragm v16. This diaphragm 16 is preferably formed of any compressible elastic or resilient material such assoft rubber or its synthetic equivalent; possessing occl'uding properties and capable of withstanding repeatedperfor tions. i Ascommercally produced, this diaphragm 16 ,will approximate the contourof its retaining seatnlS in the bore 14 except that it will bedimensioned to be manually compressedv and thence expand to tightly fit into vseat 15, It will thus be seen that by virtue of its constant Vinherent state of compression, it will afford a self-sealing closure that will lend itself to needle perforations and close the entrance channel as said needle is withdrawn therefrom;

conventional plunger 17 is dimensioned and ground to a tight but smoothfworking tit withiny the barrel 11 of the inner syringe,"the inner end or base portion thereof beingtransversely at and provided with a relatively shale 4 low axially disposed recess 18 to afford needle clearance,

Fig. 5 is a a cross-sectional view ofthe invention in en d elevation taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1';

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing one of the com,- ponents of a modiiication of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 through 6, inclusive.

For the purpose of this application and in the interest of clarity and brevity, the terms long position and ."short position will be used hereafter in this application,

reference being had to the respective position of Vthe,

needle assembly and its cooperating adapter, as will pres vently bemore fully described. I

In the form of the invention shown in Figsfl through s. inclusive; the numerata rindicates the barrel `or an as will presently bedescribed. y 5

The needle assembly comprises an outward'projection 19 of the needle for penetrating body tissues and anfinner projection l20 thereof which protrudes into 4the cavities `of the inner and outer syringes. IA needle vttingzl isarigidly mounted on the needleproper at vits approximate longitudinal center or as'prdetermined in the manufacturing process to regulate the inner. projection of the needle. The separable connection which unites the needle assembly to the syringe assembly is, as shown, in the formpf a double bayonet` joint which'atfords what may aptly be termed a two level position for the inward projection 20 of the needle.v The above noted two level position of the needle will hereinafter be referred to as the longposition and the short positionfof the needle relative to the outer syringe. i Y j In assembled relation, the adapter. member 9 is rigidly affixed to the constricted spout portion 8 of theubarrel 8Y ofthe outer syringe. A narrow axial bore extends lon'gigtudinally through/this member 9 to afford a corri"rn1`1n-i'ca,h tion passageway to' the respective "syringe lcavities fr ille inner or rearward projection 20 of the needle with a relatively tight working fit. The main body portion of the adapter member 9 is cylindrical in cross-section, is provided with a longitudinal bore 22 to engagethe constricted spout portion 8 of the outer syringe and is reduced in diameter by a tapered shoulder 23 at its approximate longitudinal center to reduce the diameter thereof to coincide with the diameter of a longitudinal bore 21' formed in the inner end portion of the needle Aitting 21 with which it cooperates. j

A pair of diametrically opposed lugs 24 is formed at the extreme outer end portion of the adapter member 9 and ush with the outer face thereof and provided for longitudinal and radial cooperating movements with the needle fitting 21. These cooperating surfaces in the needle fitting 21 comprises apair of opposed internal longitudinal grooves 2S and a pair of longitudinally spaced radial grooves'26 in the bore 21' of the needleadapter 21.

It will thus be seen that to unite the needle assembly to the syringe assembly at either the long or the short position, -it is only necessary to align the lugs 24 of the adapter unit 9 with the longitudinal grooves in the needle fitting 21 and thence with forward endwise movement bring the lugs 24 into register with the radial groove 26 in the needle fitting 21 and with axial rotation of the assembled syringe, lock the assembled united units for use at the desired position or needle level, depending 4 so-called long position, at which position the inner projection of the needle perforates the diaphragm 16. A total forward push of the plunger 17 of the inner syringe thence injects the solution contained therein into the body of the subject patient, after which the needle and its components is withdrawn Ifrom the patient.

It is to be noted vthatV to permit complete evacuation of the solution inthe inner syringe,.its plunger 17 is provided in its Ibase with a recess 18 to protect and safely harbor the bevel of the inner projection 20 of the needle when the plunger 17 is pressed forwardly to the full limit of its stroke. .Y

A modification of the device is illustrated in Fig. 7,

wherein the inner syringe and its plunger 17 are replaced upon which radial groove is selected for engagement with Y the lugs 24. Obviously, however, the long inward projection of the needle evacuates the inner syringe and the short inward projection thereof evacuates the outer syringe to complete the operation.

It will be understood that while a bayonet joint having dual locking stations is shown and described herein, there are other equally effective and eiiicient means by which the needle and syringe assemblies may be detachably united and still achieve the required two level positions of the inward projection ofthe needle into the cavities of the syringes.

The invention thus far described is disclosed in Figs. l, 2, and 3 ofthe drawings and it is deemed advisable at this point to describe the functional operation of this version which is as follows:

It is also important to note here, that the letter X has been assigned to denote the receptacles shown in the drawing from which the syringes are lled.

The filling of the syringe with solutions to be injected is accomplished by first fitting the needle fitting 21 to the adapter member 9 in the long position of the bayonet joint, reference being had to the radial groove 26, thus affording the maximum inner projection of the needle into the inner syringe. The inner syringe is thusmoved forward until the inner projection 20 of the needle penetrates the diaphragm 16. At this point, with the outer projection 19 of the needle immersed in a solution to be injected, the plunger 17 of the inner syringe is withdrawn to the desired level, indicated by graduations on the barrel *11 of the inner syringe, thus filling the same with one solution to be injected. The needle fitting and adapter unit 21 and 9, respectively, are then removed lfrom the long position and withdrawn and locked by rotation in the short'position of Figures 3 and 4, at which point the needle no longer penetratesthe diaphragm 16. Theouter projection 19 of the needle is then immersed in another solution to be injected and the outer syringe is then filled by withdrawing the inner syringe which acts as a plunger. At this point, the unit is prepared for use on a patient, i.e. the injection of both solutions consecutively.

The outer projection 19 of the needle is then introduced into the subject patient and the solution in the other syringe is thence injected by a total forward push of the inner syringe acting as a plunger. The double bayonet joint which unites the adapter 9` and the needle 21 is then manipulated to return the needle to its by a hollow cylindrical cartridge 28 dimensioned to close-v ly t the inside diameter of the barrel 8 of the outer syringe, said cartridge 28 being provided with a detachable reusable plunger rod 29. This cylindrical cartridge 28 is a hermetically sealed container preferably made of a relatively soft,. pliable, synthetic material and is lled with the desired solution at the time of its manufacture ina sterile condition. The cartridge 28 is closed at its rear end portion by a closely fitting plunger member 30, the rearward movement of which is limited by an internal annular bead or inturned flange 27 formed in thc outer rear edge portion of the cartridge 28. This plunger is provided on its exposed outer face with a relatively shallow axially disposed screw-threaded bore 31 having screw-threaded engagement with cooperating screw threads 32 on the inner end portion of the detachable plunger rod 29. This detachable arrangement -between the members 29 and 30 is regarded as highly important as it obviously facilitates the packaging and storing of the hermetically .sealed disposable cartridge 28 and further allows `for a vsubstantial saving from a manufacturing standpoint. To permit the total evacuation of the solution in the cartridge 28, its plunger member 30 is also provided on its inner face with a small relatively shallow bore 33 that harbors and protects the bevel of the inner projection 20 of the needle when the plunger 30 is pressed forwardlyvwith longitudinal endwise movement to evacuate the solution contained therein. It is importantto note that the axially disposed bores 31 and 33 formed on opposed faces of the plunger 30 do not extend completely through said member as the same acts as a closure for the upper end portion Vof the sterile hermetically sealed cartridge 28 before use thereof.

To prepare the foregoing modification of the device for injection of its held solution into the body of a patient consecutively, the sterile hermetically sealed cartridge 28 is removed from its wrapping and container in such a manner as to avoid contamination. This is accomplished by first exposing the upper or rear'endfportion of the cartridge 28 and attaching the plunger rod 29 to the screw threads 31 in the plunger 30. After complete removal of its sterile wrappings, the cartridge is thence inserted endwise into the barrel 8 of the outer syringe. The cartridge is then pressed maximally-forward in the barrel 8, care being taken that the inner projection 20 of the needle is in its short position. The outer projecf tion 19 of the needle is then immersed into a receptacle containing the tirst solution to be injected into the subject patient. By withdrawing the cartridge 28, this solution is drawn into the barrel 8 of the outer syringe. -The outer projection 19 of the needle is then introduced into the patient and the solution in the outer syringe is in'- jected into said patient by the total forward thrust of the cartridge 28 by manual pressure on its plunger rod 29. When this solution has -been completely injected, the bayonet joint uniting the needle 'fitting 21 and the adapter unit 9 is ythen manipulated to bring the inner projection 20 of the needle into its long position, the outer projection of the needle 19 remaining in the body of the patient at this time. With the inner projection 20 ofthe needle in the long position, it will penetrate the anterior surface of the cartridge 28, thus permitting the injection of the solution contained therein into the body of the patient by manual forward pressure on the plunger rod 29 acting upon the plunger 30. With this process completed, the needle and its components are withdrawn from the body of the patient.

While there are herein disclosed but a limited number of embodiments of the structure, process and product of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without dep-arting from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are stated herein, or required by the prior art.

What we claim is:

l. A tandem syringe for consecutively dispensin-g two separately held uids comprising in combination an outer vsyringe and an inner syringe, said inner syringe affording a plunger for the outer syringe, a plunger in the inner syringe, a spout on one end portion of the outer syringe affording a mount for an adapter, and a needle assembly comprising a needle having `a hollow fitting for cooperating detachable engagement withV the adapter in a two position arrangement, said needle having a pointed inner end movable by the two position arrangement of the fitting and the adapter to allow emptying or filling of the syringes in sequence.

2. A tandem syringe for consecutively dispensing two separately held uids comprising in combination an outer syringe having a cylindrical barrel, one end portion of which is constricted to afford a spout having communication with the barrel through a relatively small bore, and the other end portion thereof being of the same diameter as the body of the barrel and outturned to form a relatively wide .annular flange, an inner syringe having a cylindrical barrel dimensioned for a close endwise movement within the outer syringe to afford a plunger thereon, one end portion of said inner syringe having Ia relatively thick lower base portion, an axially disposed bore in said base portion affording a mount for a resilient occluding element, the other end portion of said inner syringe having an annular outturned flange of slightly .greater diameter than said first-noted fiange, a cooperating plunger dimensioned for close endwise movements within said inner syringe, a needle assembly comprising a fitting for rigidly mounting the needle, said needle projecting `forwardly and rearwardly of said fitting, and an adapter unit mounted on the constricted end portion of the outer syringe, said needle Ifitting and adapter unit being detachably and adjustably connected for endwise movement, thus affording means whereby the position of the inner projection of the needle may be varied relative to the said outer syringe.

3. The structure defined in claim 2, wherein the adapter unit and the needle fitting `are in the form of a double bayonet joint, said adapter unit having a pair of opposed lugs on the outer end portion thereof arranged and constructed for endwise and radial movements with cooperating inner and outer longitudinally and radially d isposed grooves formed in an axially disposed bore in said needle fitting, thus affording a two level inward projection of the needle relative to the outer syringe and to unite the needle and syringe assemblies, the one to the other.

4. The structure defined in claim 2 in which the occluding element mounted in its seat in the base section of the inner syringe is replaceably and expansibly seated therein, being formed of pre-stressed rubber or its equivalent, thus affording a closure capable of relatively easy perforation by a needle and inherently self-sealing when the said needle is withdrawn.

5. The structure defined in claim 2, further including an axially disposed shallow recess in the Ilower end portion of the plunger for the inner syringe to afford clearance for the bevel of the needle when said needle is positioned at its innermost projection and the plunger at the full forward limit of its stroke.

6. The structure defined in claim 2 wherein the cooperating adapter unit and the needle fitting are constructed and arranged to unite the needle fitting to a fluid supply, said adapter unit applicable to the fluid supply member and the needle fitting detachably secured for longitudinal endwise movements to said `adapter unit, said needle fitting having a longitudinal axial bore in which the needle is rigidly mounted at ia predetermined position adjacent its approximate longitudinal center, thus affording an inward and outward projection of the needle relative to the fitting, an axial bore in the adapter unit through which the inner projection of the needle extends for communication with the fluid supply, and cooperating means on the adapter unit and the needle fitting whereby the said units are united with longitudinal endwise adjustment.

7. A tandem syringe for consecutively dispensing two separately held fluids comprising in combination an outer syringe having a hollow cylindrical barrel portion, one end of which is constricted to afford a spout having a relatively small bore affording communication with the interior of the barrel portion, the outer end portion thereof being open mouthed, of barrel dimension and having a relatively wide outturned annular liange, a pre-filled fluid cartridge dimensioned for endwise longitudinal movements within the outer syringe, thus affording a plunger therefor, a secondary plunger within the cartridge which acts as a closure for the filled cartridge being mounted for endwise longitudinal movements therein, a screw-threaded bore in the outer face of said secondary plunger and a plunger rod for imparting movement to the secondary plunger and having screw-threaded engagement therewith, a cooperating adapter unit and the needle tting being constructed and arranged `to unite the needle fitting to a fluid supply, said adapter unit being applicable to the fluid supply member and the needle fitting being detachably secured for longitudinal endwise movements to said adapter unit, said needle fitting having a longitudinal axial bore in which the needle is rigidly mounted at a predetermined position adjacent its approximate longitudinal center, thus affording an inward and outward projection of the needle relative to the fitting, an axial bore in the adapter unit through which the inner projection of the needle extends for communication with the fluid supply and cooperating means on the adapter unit and the needle fitting whereby the said units are united with longitudinal endwise adjustment.

8. The structure defined in claim 7, further including a shallow axially disposed recess on the inner face ofthe secondary plunger to afford clearance for the bevel of the needle at .the innermost position of the secondary plunger at the end of its forward stroke.

9. The structure defined in claim 7 in which the uid cartridge is ahermetically sealed sterile disposable unit.

10. The structure denned in claim 7 in which the hermetically sealed sterile cartridge is of relatively soft material so as to render it capable of penetration by the needle.

11.*The structure defined in claim 7 in which the hermetically sealed sterile cartridge has at least one end portion formed of relatively soft material so as to render it capable of penetration.

References Cited in the file of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,179,561 Reed Apr. 18, 1916 1,234,582 Trueblood July 24, 1917 2,102,704 Hein Dec. 2l, 1937 2,505,308 Smith Apr. 25, 1950 2,554,451 Barry May 22, 1951 2,655,919 Goodstein et al. Oct. 20, 1953 2,725,057 Lockhart Nov. 29, 1955 

